Kengo Kuma’s approach to materials is a fundamental aspect of his originality. Born in Yokohama in 1954, Kuma views the world as material and thoroughly studies a space before starting any design. He strives to fully understand the location and create architecture that is open to the environment and rooted in its history. He believes that materials are intrinsically linked to place: “Through materials, we can learn about a location and connect with its uniqueness,” he notes.

Kuma’s architecture often draws inspiration from the past, featuring strong structural elements while also being sensory and tactile. His creations are characterized by lightness and a sense of movement, evoking a musical flow and rhythm that inspire him. He seeks to minimize the use of concrete as much as possible, creating buildings that appear to float above the ground, often conveying a sense of lightness or even ambiguity.

Kuma refers to himself as a “materialist” in the sense that his relationship with materials is purely physical. His quest for both new and traditional materials has led to a wealth of discoveries, demonstrating that the past holds the keys to creating a better future. After World War II, architects’ preference for concrete as a quick and economical reconstruction solution often meant abandoning tradition. However, Kuma believes that tradition offers the balance between the old and the new.

His turn towards tradition began in the 1980s when, as a student at Columbia University in New York, he shared the Japanese tea ceremony with friends and realised how impressed they were by traditional solutions and Japanese design. This experience led him to revisit his roots and integrate tradition into his work.

Kuma’s projects are found throughout Japan as well as in Italy, the United States, China, France, Australia, and other countries. Each of his works is a living example of the harmonious coexistence of materials, space, and history, proving that his architecture is both global and deeply rooted in local elements.

Kengo Kuma and his architectural firm, Kengo Kuma & Associates, are actively involved in the project of The Ellinikon and, in partnership with the Greek architecture & planning office Betaplan, have under¬taken the architectural plans and design of the Riviera Galleria, the new destination in the Marina of Ag. Kosmas, which will offer visitors a multifaceted and high-end experience of shopping, gastronomy and entertainment. The Riviera Galleria will be an architectural landmark for Greece and the world. Add on has also undertaken the Marina Residences developed by Orilina Properties, which is set to become a modern Athenian landmark, subtly altering and enhancing its skyline and coastline for decades to come.